Panettone Gastronomico

It is 2014, the holidays are finally over and it is time for a fresh start. 2013 sucked, please excuse my frankness, but there is no better way to put it. I am looking forward to this year, what it will bring, the changes that may occur. I’m ready for it all, the good and the bad.

We brought in the new year with my parents and some good friends, it was a relaxed evening and lasted well into the night. Like all New Year’s Eves in the past I drank too much, I’m not sure when I will ever mature past getting a little drunk on New Year’s eve. Considering the fact that my mother was by my side, glass in hand, the whole night, I don’t think I ever will! Starting every new year with a hangover isn’t ideal, but at least it is a good excuse to lay low on the first day of the year.

We made a big dinner, tried for the lentils and cotechino, but ended up only eating a spoonful of lentils before bed for good luck and I am sorry to say that the cotechino went in the trash. As an antipasto we made a panettone gastronimico. This is a loaf of bread made in the shape of a classic Christmas panettone, it is cut horizontally and with each level there is a different filling. I like to call it a sandwich tower, my dad more appropriately calls it a Dagwood sandwich.

You can fill them with anything and many delis in Milan willl sell their own filled panettone, prices varying anywhere from €30 to €100. We didn’t go too crazy with ours, our first layer was classic with anchovies and butter; the 2nd prosciutto crudo and porcini cream cheese; the 3rd ricotta, prosciutto crudo and arugula; the 4th a tuna pâté with arugula; and the last with prosciutto cotto and grainy mustard, my daughter’s favorite.